Poetry submissions to North of Oxford’s Streur Anthology are now open!
North of Oxford would like to pay tribute to the late Russell Streur, poet and publisher of The Camel Saloon and The Plum Tree Tavern with an online anthology dedicated to Nature. Send us your poems of Nature, of floral and fauna, of forests and trees, of rivers, creeks and streams. Of farms, of urban nature, of parks and sanctuaries, of oceans and bays, of islands, of all things, Nature.
Send one to three poems for consideration of publication to North of Oxford at sahmsguarnieriandreutter@gmail.comSubject line of submission: Streur Anthology. Submissions will be accepted until 5/31/25. Only submissions attached as word doc will be reviewed. Please include a 100-word bio within the word doc.
Jacques Fleury’s book You Are Enough: The Journey Towards Understanding Your Authentic Self
Eva Petropolou Lianou shares a short film inspired by NASA’s inclusion of her poetry in a capsule launched to the moon.
Synopsis On 26th February 2025 NASA launched a capsule with poems to the moon, one of them was the anti-war poem “Happy Birthday”. Written by Eva Lianou Petropoulou, Directed & Animated by Zina Papadopoulou, Music & Sound by Grigoris Grigoropoulos
Lunar codex, Athena, Minerva Excelsior, The Vagabond Anthology, edited by Mark Lipman, dedicated to the Palestinian poet Ahmed Miqdad
Also, our contributor Brian Barbeito’s new book has just come out, When I Hear the Night. This is a prose poem and landscape photography book. Included with the words and pictures are two literary and dynamic introductory essays, one by poet and editor Jude Goodwin, and another by the writer and editor Mary Buchanan Sellers, figures current and thus well-informed in the field. There are also author notes and question-and-answer sections. The writings can be said to have interesting elements of memoir, essay, belle-lettres, poetry, and short story forms. Their content often includes the mystic and inner vision of the author coupled with the outside world of nature walking and travel.
Now, for May 2025’s first issue: Paradoxical Understandings. In this issue, we explore various perspectives and vantage points, how multiple things can be true at once in our complex universe.
On a more personal level, Peter Cherches writes of understandings and misunderstandings, how much we can come to know or forget about those closest to us. Aziza Xazanova urges human understanding through avoiding assumptions and listening with empathy. Daniel De Culla relates a story where a person in trouble simply seeks a listening ear, not rescue.
One way people can understand each other better is by learning each other’s languages. Several contributors discuss pedagogical methods for language teaching.
Other contributors reinterpret language in concrete and abstract ways. Jerome Berglund renders different poetic forms into concrete images. Noah Berlatsky contributes a humorous poem about procrastination that uses repetition as a literary device. Christina Chin and Uchechukwu Onyedikam craft joint tan-renga poems, finishing each other’s pieces with images of music, nature, rest, and memories. Rus Khomutoff’s concrete poetry takes us on a journey of surrealism, music, and romance.
Like Khomutoff, other writers travel deep into their own psyches. Brian Barbeito reflects on his thought process and creative journeys, considering how he both opens his mind to emptiness and enlightenment and, like a skilled hockey player, remembers the basics of his craft. On another note, Nigar Nurulla Khalilova evokes writers’ block and an intense, foul mood as harsh as the Arab Simoom wind.
Mesfakus Salahin ponders the fragility of human identity and self-concept. Mark Young’s poetry explores creative processes, relationships, and the search for meaning. Texas Fontanella’s music digs deep for a dose of duende. Tagrid Bou Merhi draws on train travel as a metaphor for introspection and longing for one’s past or future. Stephen Jarrell Williams crafts a series of verses describing a person’s inner struggle and renewal. Ari Nystrom-Rice explores identity, wondering who he truly is underneath the surface. Mexribon Shodiyeva’s poetry celebrates the fragile butterfly and the beauty of being yourself. Shamsiya Khudoynazarova Turumovna relates having had the courage to free herself from an unhealthy situation and walk her own path.
Paul Cordeiro speaks to the aftermath of significant relationships and events and to how our feelings can reshape our memories. On a less serious level, Mark Blickley develops a farcical story of unemployment fraud inspired by a photo of a man with a sheep skull, where a character invests deeply into reinventing himself.
On a more cosmic level, Jack Mellender’s work looks at space, time, and humanity’s place in the universe. Ummnusalma Nasir Mukhtar relates a fanciful and expansive dream where she traveled to the moon and stars and gathered her strength. Jacques Fleury’s photography encourages us to view life from different vantage points, exploring concepts as varied as travel, physical attraction, thought, and justice.
Duane Vorhees reflects on ancient archetypes and how we tell stories about ourselves. Sayani Mukherjee reflects on the constant turbulence of human and natural history. Dr. Jernail S. Anand probes some basic paradoxes of modern human life.
Rezauddin Stalin reflects on the beauty and the price of freedom as Blue Chynoweth reflects on the blessing and curse of being able to contemplate one’s place in the universe rather than living by instinct.
Mahbub Alam wonders whether love or self-destruction will win the day. As a person of faith grappling with these issues, Chimezie Ihekuna addresses life’s seemingly intractable struggles, suffering, and human evil, and also God’s implacable goodness in a paradoxical couplet of poems. Lilian Dipasupil’s paired poems take a similar approach, warning of child kidnapping while honoring the love and sacrifice of Jesus.
As writers, one of the ways we can respond to evil is to bear witness and document it as a warning. This is one of the roles of journalism. Davronova Asilabonu affirms the value of journalism and speculates on the field’s future.
More traditionally literary writing can bear witness as well. Yucheng Tao provides a sobering reminder of the historical massacres of the indigenous people of the American West by European settlers and of many Cambodians later in history by the Khmer Rouge. Z.I. Mahmud explores how Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles brought realism into detective fiction, illustrating the monstrosity of human greed and vengeance. Rahmat Muhammad laments how people where she lives in northern Nigeria no longer honor elders and ancestors as much as they should.
Shuhratbekova Gulzoda describes the historical contributions of the humanist Jadid leaders of Uzbekistan to art, literature, science, and culture. Dilobar Maxmarejabova expresses her pride in her Uzbek heritage and her hometown of Qashqadaryo. Hashimjonova Durdana affirms her pride in her Uzbek heritage and culture. Nozima Gofurova outlines the many achievements of today’s Uzbek youth.
Bhagirath Choudhary points to the role of literature in terms of helping people and societies evolve to become more humane. Dr. Jernail S. Anand illuminates the power of art and literature to touch people’s hearts and souls and inspire wiser and more compassionate behavior.
Alexander Klujev highlights connections between Russian music and Russian philosophy and how both honor the triumph of life over death.
Various contributions celebrate different aspects of life. Shahnoza Ochildiyeva enjoys a picnic with her classmates on a sunny spring day. Su Yun evokes the struggle and beauty of flowers growing in an urban environment. Isabel Gomez de Diego photographs childhood exuberance in a neighborhood where humans coexist with nature, trees and bike paths near city apartments. Eva Petropolou Lianou crafts a story around the evocatively named “Hero’s Path,” a hiking trail near a European monastery. She finds simple joy in nature and travel. Manik Chakraborty takes poetic inspiration from misty mountains as Taro Hokkyo honors his muse and the land on which he writes.
Marjona Jorayeva Baxtiyorovna expresses her respect for women and the feminine, which she links to nurturing and compassion. Gulsanam Qurbonova celebrates the tender nurturing of a mother’s love. Vo Thi Nhu Mai reflects on the warmth and tenderness of her childhood in Vietnam and how that inspired her creativity. Kylian Cubilla Gomez’ photography captures vintage childhood images: Snoopy, old Easter themed toys, a colorful frog, even possibly Dad’s aftershave. David Sapp enters the mind of a three-year-old, excited about cereal and dogs. Marjona Jo’rayeva relates her enthusiasm for a fresh term at school.
Kristy Raines expresses the simple yet profound joy of two souls finding true love and choosing each other. Eid Saleh writes in English and Arabic of the meeting of souls in a similar way, and refers both to romance and to close friendship. Qaraboyeva Zilola expresses the tender urgency, trepidation, and obsession of young love. Marley Manalo-Ladicho ignites a fiery love feast in his poetry.
However, as Taylor Dibbert points out in his brief poem, romances, and other sources of happiness, aren’t guaranteed to last.
Tuliyeva Sarvinoz’ elegant poetry laments lost love as Mirta Liliana Ramirez honors the memory of a beloved, asserting that she’s not yet ready to move forward. Eva Petropolou Lianou touches on the tenderness of human hearts and how many of us carry emotional trauma. J.J. Campbell’s poems describe a soul’s slow descent into misery and cynicism. Luis Cuauhtemoc Berriozabal speaks to social and psychological entrapment, stuck with folks tired of his old stories. Linda S. Gunther’s short story “Bake Me a Banyan Tree” explores what we owe our loved ones and how far we would go for them.
Eric Barr’s poetry reflects the realities of navigating life after a stroke. Manik Chakraborty laments destruction caused by a fire as Mykyta Ryzhykh reimagines the Three Little Pigs into a futuristic dystopia in light of environmental destruction. Don Bormon evokes extreme desert heat and the specter of climate change.
Alex S. Johnson takes us on a mythical journey to transmute sorrow in a poem translated into Greek by Cassandra Alogoskoufi.
Sometimes what one needs to overcome suffering isn’t as complex as alchemy, but can just be time at home curled up with one’s cat. Nicholas Gunther’s poem describes a weary soul’s desire to return home after a long journey. Bill Tope’s short story explores how a senior cat helped bring an older woman out of depression after society made both feel useless.
We hope that Synchronized Chaos can inspire creativity, bear witness to the joys and pains of the world, and transform sorrow and stagnation. Please enjoy this issue!
Ancient
The drunken swiftness of the waves
Calms me
From a reverie of unpredictable marches
A lost song of victory and losses
As she possessed the divinity of all things
Things high and low lay bare
The stratum of bounty Hastings
The unnameable spoken mantra, the soma of life
Lying all over the fringe of all things
Knitted in a divine mastery
I knew the ancient waters, the green scenery
As the rivers comingle with the ever chanting song fare.
MOTHER
The love of a mother is a profound and intricate tapestry, woven with threads of unconditional care, unwavering support, and a profound understanding that transcends words. It is a force that shapes our lives from the very beginning, nurturing our growth, guiding our steps, and leaving an indelible mark on our souls.
From the moment a mother cradles her newborn in her arms, a bond is formed that defies definition. It is a primal connection, an instinctual understanding that transcends language and reason. The first touch, the first gaze, the first whisper – these are the building blocks of a love that will endure through time and circumstance.
A mother's love is a constant source of strength and security. It is the safe haven we return to when the world feels overwhelming, the gentle hand that guides us through life's uncertainties. It is the unwavering belief in our potential, even when we doubt ourselves.
As we grow, a mother's love adapts and evolves. It becomes the steady hand that helps us navigate the challenges of childhood, the encouraging voice that whispers, "You can do it!" when we face our first fears. It is the shoulder we cry on when our hearts are broken, the warm embrace that soothes our pain.
A mother's love is not always easy. It requires sacrifice, patience, and a willingness to put the needs of her children before her own. It means staying up late with a sick child, wiping away tears, and offering comfort when words fail. It means celebrating our triumphs and offering solace in our failures.
Through the years, a mother's love becomes a guiding light, illuminating our path and providing us with a sense of purpose. She is the one who teaches us right from wrong, instills in us our values, and helps us develop our sense of self.
Her love is a constant source of inspiration, reminding us that we are capable of great things. It is the fuel that propels us to pursue our dreams, to overcome obstacles, and to strive for excellence.
A mother's love is a gift that keeps on giving. It is a source of strength, comfort, and inspiration that we carry with us throughout our lives. It is a love that transcends time and circumstance, a love that endures even when we are miles apart.
But a mother's love is not just about the sacrifices she makes or the lessons she teaches. It is also about the joy she finds in watching her children grow and thrive. It is about the pride she feels when her children achieve their dreams.
It is the shared laughter, the inside jokes, the memories that are woven into the fabric of our family. It is the simple moments of connection – a cup of coffee shared on a rainy morning, a phone call to say "I love you," a hug that speaks volumes.
A mother's love is a complex and multifaceted thing, a love that is both powerful and tender, both fierce and gentle. It is a love that defies definition, a love that can only be felt in the depths of our hearts.
It is a love that shapes who we are, that guides us through life's journey, and that leaves an indelible mark on our souls. It is a love that transcends words, a love that is eternal.
Even when our mothers are no longer with us, their love remains a constant presence in our lives. It is the legacy they leave behind, a legacy of love, support, and guidance that inspires us to live our lives to the fullest.
Abstract: Speaking is one of the most important skills in language learning, requiring effective teaching methods to enhance learners’ communication abilities. This article explores various methods used in speaking lessons, emphasizing their impact on students’ fluency, accuracy, and confidence. It discusses the role of interactive, communicative, and task-based approaches in fostering better speaking skills. The findings suggest that a combination of different methods leads to improved student engagement and language proficiency.
Developing speaking skills in a foreign language requires a strategic approach that combines various teaching methods. Effective speaking lessons should focus on fluency, accuracy, and interaction to help learners become confident communicators. Traditional methods, such as grammar-translation and audiolingual approaches, have been supplemented with more interactive techniques, including communicative language teaching (CLT) and task-based learning (TBL). This article examines different methods used in speaking lessons and their impact on language learners.
Speaking is a fundamental skill in language learning, as it enables learners to communicate effectively in real-life situations. However, developing speaking proficiency requires a combination of different teaching methods that address fluency, accuracy, and confidence. Traditional approaches, such as grammar-translation and audiolingual methods, have often emphasized memorization and repetition, but modern methodologies focus more on interactive and communicative strategies to enhance speaking skills.
In recent years, language educators have integrated a variety of techniques, including Communicative Language Teaching (CLT), Task-Based Learning (TBL), and technology-assisted learning, to create engaging and student-centered speaking lessons. These approaches encourage meaningful communication, allowing learners to practice language in authentic contexts. Research suggests that a combination of these methods leads to better speaking performance by promoting spontaneous speech, interactive learning, and self-correction.
Many researchers have explored the effectiveness of different methods in teaching speaking skills. Brown (2007) emphasized that communicative competence should be the primary goal of language instruction, advocating for an interactive approach. Similarly, Richards and Rodgers (2014) analyzed various methodologies and highlighted the significance of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) in fostering spontaneous speech.
Task-Based Learning (TBL) has also been widely researched. Ellis (2003) found that TBL enhances learners’ ability to use language in real-life situations by engaging them in meaningful tasks. Harmer (2007) supported this claim, arguing that task-based approaches promote fluency by reducing the fear of making mistakes.
Additionally, studies on language anxiety, such as Oflaz (2019), indicate that interactive methods help students build confidence and reduce speaking anxiety. Dörnyei and Ottó (1998) developed a process model of L2 motivation, suggesting that a positive classroom environment and engaging tasks play a crucial role in improving speaking skills.
Furthermore, the integration of technology in language learning has gained attention. Nation (2007) proposed the “Four Strands” framework, emphasizing the need for meaning-focused input and output. Asher (1969) introduced the Total Physical Response (TPR) method, which proved effective in developing oral proficiency, especially for beginners.
Method
This study explores the effectiveness of different methods used in speaking lessons to improve students’ fluency, accuracy, and confidence. The research was conducted in a classroom setting with language learners of various proficiency levels. A combination of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT), Task-Based Learning (TBL), and interactive activities was implemented over a period of eight weeks.
Participants engaged in role-plays, discussions, debates, and real-life simulations. Fluency was encouraged through spontaneous speaking activities, while accuracy was addressed through targeted feedback and corrective techniques. Technology-assisted learning, including language learning apps and video recordings, was also incorporated to provide additional speaking practice.
Data was collected through classroom observations, student surveys, and oral assessments. Fluency was measured by the number of words spoken per minute, accuracy by grammatical correctness, and confidence by self-reported surveys and teacher evaluations.
Discussion
One of the most widely used approaches in speaking lessons is Communicative Language Teaching (CLT), which emphasizes real-life communication. This method encourages students to engage in dialogues, role-plays, and discussions, helping them develop fluency and confidence. Unlike traditional grammar-focused methods, CLT prioritizes meaning over form, making language use more natural and spontaneous.
Another effective method is Task-Based Learning (TBL), which involves learners completing meaningful tasks that require communication. Examples include problem-solving activities, debates, and simulations. TBL promotes active participation, enhancing students’ ability to use language in different contexts.
Interactive methods such as group work and pair discussions also play a crucial role in speaking lessons. These activities create a dynamic learning environment where students practice speaking in a supportive setting. Additionally, technology-assisted learning, including language learning apps, video conferencing, and AI chatbots, provides opportunities for learners to practice speaking outside the classroom.
Despite the benefits of these methods, some challenges exist. Learners may struggle with accuracy when fluency is prioritized, and some students may feel anxious about speaking in front of others. Teachers must balance fluency and accuracy by integrating corrective feedback without discouraging participation.
Results
The findings indicate that using a combination of different methods significantly improved students’ speaking abilities. CLT and TBL-based activities increased student engagement and fluency, with participants showing a 30% increase in spoken words per minute. Accuracy improved as well, particularly when corrective feedback was integrated into interactive tasks.
Student confidence also increased, with 85% of participants reporting that they felt more comfortable speaking in front of others after completing the speaking lessons. The use of technology, such as recording and playback, helped students identify their mistakes and self-correct, further enhancing their learning experience.
Overall, the results demonstrate that incorporating various methods in speaking lessons leads to noticeable improvements in students’ communication skills. The combination of fluency-focused and accuracy-driven activities created a balanced approach, ensuring effective language learning.
Conclusion
Using different methods in speaking lessons enhances language acquisition by fostering fluency, accuracy, and confidence. A combination of communicative, task-based, and interactive approaches proves effective in engaging learners and improving their speaking skills. Teachers should adopt a flexible approach that meets the needs of diverse learners, ensuring that speaking lessons remain engaging and effective.
The use of different methods in speaking lessons plays a crucial role in developing students’ fluency, accuracy, and confidence. Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) and Task-Based Learning (TBL) have proven effective in promoting real-life communication and active student engagement. Interactive activities, such as role-plays, discussions, and debates, help learners practice spontaneous speech, while corrective feedback ensures grammatical accuracy.
The results of this study indicate that a combination of methods leads to better speaking performance compared to relying on a single approach. Students who participated in diverse speaking activities showed noticeable improvements in their ability to express themselves clearly and confidently. Additionally, the integration of technology-assisted learning provided further opportunities for practice and self-assessment.
To enhance speaking lessons, educators should adopt a flexible and student-centered approach, incorporating different strategies based on learners’ needs and proficiency levels. By balancing fluency-focused and accuracy-driven activities, teachers can create a dynamic learning environment that fosters both communication skills and linguistic competence.
References:
1. Brown, H. D. (2007). Teaching by Principles: An Interactive Approach to Language Pedagogy (3rd ed.). Pearson Education.
2. Celce-Murcia, M. (2001). Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language (3rd ed.). Heinle & Heinle.
3. Ellis, R. (2003). Task-Based Language Learning and Teaching. Oxford University Press.
4. Harmer, J. (2007). The Practice of English Language Teaching (4th ed.). Longman.
5. Richards, J. C., & Rodgers, T. S. (2014). Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
6. Thornbury, S. (2005). How to Teach Speaking. Pearson Longman.
7. Oflaz, A. (2019). “The Foreign Language Anxiety in Learning German and the Effects of Total Physical Response Method on Students’ Speaking Skill.” Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 15(1), 70-82.
8. Dörnyei, Z., & Ottó, I. (1998). “Motivation in Action: A Process Model of L2 Motivation.” Working Papers in Applied Linguistics, 4, 43-69.
9. Nation, I. S. P. (2007). “The Four Strands.” Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, 1(1), 2-13.
10. Asher, J. J. (1969). “The Total Physical Response Approach to Second Language Learning.” The Modern Language Journal, 53(1), 3-17.
11. Germain, C., & Netten, J. (2011). “Impact de la conception de l’acquisition d’une langue seconde ou étrangère sur la conception de la langue et de son enseignement.” Synergies Chine, 6, 25-36.
12. Kormos, J. (2006). Speech Production and Second Language Acquisition. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
13. Dörnyei, Z. (2005). The Psychology of the Language Learner: Individual Differences in Second Language Acquisition. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
14. Richards, J. C. (2008). Teaching Listening and Speaking: From Theory to Practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
15. Thornbury, S. (2005). How to Teach Speaking. Harlow: Longman.
16. Harmer, J. (2007). The Practice of English Language Teaching (4th ed.). Harlow: Pearson Longman.
I will walk along the paths that Manguberdi loved.
If the enemies bring me to the gallows,
Then I will say “Homeland”, “Homeland”.
Today to erase your sorrows,
Your poetess daughter will take a sword in her hand.
I will never allow it to be erased,
The trace left by my grandfather Amir Temur.
This pride is higher than the mountains of Askar,
In my hand, the homeland stands brave.
Now you, soldiers, go to the adge,
Today Durdona is preparing for battle!
Hashimjonova Durdana daughter of Sodirjan. Born of April 29, 2010 Rishtan district, Fergana region. Currently, she is an 8th grade student at school No.59.
Problems and fights are everywhere. Because war will not be the relationship itself without quarrels. Whether it’s in personal life or social .There are also minor disappointments in major cities. Only if you can find the right solution by eliminating it, problems and conflicts will not leave a bad mark on our psyche and memory pages. In my opinion, the problem can be solved in two ways .The first is to calm down and the main thing is to listen to each other.
The beginning of any irreconcilable argument is caused by misunderstanding .People decide on anger in a hurry without listening to each other’s words to the end. This condition is common in every human condition unfortunately. In such cases, the first thing to do is always try to calm down .Because not all decisions made on anger are true ,and the disputes that are taking place at this time have a profound effect on a person’s life. How do you say? We often lighten our anger when we are angry by saying bitter words to other people, not precisely from the person who let us out of anger. This causes our loved ones to be disappointed in US or lose them. It is necessary to try to calm down somehow so as not to get into such bad situations. It is necessary to coldly try to solve the issue in the case when the person or situation standing on our opposite side is looking at the situation with a real eye, no matter to what extent we were angry, and remember that nothing will change with a quarrel. To the question of how to calm down ? we must remember that in this world everyone can make mistakes ,that there is no perfect person or perfect situation for himself, that nothing stands in this world above our peace and health and more expensive. Because a person who stands in front of us during a quarrel will also expect from us that he will treat us. The situation changes if you speak softly and politely without any quarrels ,or if you can see the good side of the situation, a little, not only from the negative side, the person standing in front of you will sometimes fall.
Not listening to each other is a situation that aggravates the situation. Those are small problems that cause that condition gets bigger . We all have to try to overcome any situation by being forgiving, taking into account that we make mistakes. Why exactly listen? After all, said a bad word, insulted, is it possible to respond politely? if the question torments you, remember the phrase “good word soul mate”. Even thanks to one sweet word, a person can change for the better in life .This means that you will appear not as a weak or stupid person, but as an incredibly strong person .Try to listen and understand a little, no matter how difficult it is, make a decision in a position that does not compromise the interests between the two people .this shows that you are a real leader. Whether you are an ordinary schoolboy or a student or an ordinary person, you will find the respect you respect.
From my simple experience , I can conclude that when you come across a person who has said a bad word to you or is in a bad situation in life, do so, try to look for the good side of the situation, see the good side. Because there is wisdom in every job! With the sweet words you say, there will probably be a little better change in someone’s life .Try to turn this quarrel into warm conversations with good qualities in yourself, rather than expanding the quarrels by hurriedly saying offensive words. This will definitely help. Miracles are created by man himself. Think about the fact that everything is possible in this world ,consult ,share your thoughts ,and not that you also leave a quarrel or some big problem will ruin my life, but never think that I will forcibly achieve something with a quarrel. Haste never brings benefits! do not forget that only doing good and good words change the world!
Khasanova Aziza Kumushbek qizi was born on October 1, 2004 in the city of Chirchik, Tashkent region.Student Of The Tashkent Institute of Economics and pedagogy. Owner of several scientific articles.
